Mention of the New Madrid country of southeastern Missouri as being discovered by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in 1542 and secondly by French explorer Robert de La Salle in 1681.

Notes

Conceding that De Soto's expedition reached the New Madrid country in 1542, this visit of La Salle's party in 1681 was the second in point of time made by white men to the country comprised within the borders of our State [Missouri].